Frequency emitter for control of insects

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for controlling insects is provided. In one embodiment, the invention utilizes pumping radiation and molecular vibratory modulation to generate coherent or semi-coherent radiation frequencies to control or attract insects. Such control acting either as an attractant (e.g., for trapping) radiation or a frequency quenching (i.e., jamming) radiation for insects. In a second embodiment, the invention utilizes pumping radiation and a scatter surface to generate coherent or semi-coherent radiation frequencies to control or attract insects.

This application is a Continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.08/121,368, filed Sep.15, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,424,551.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method forcontrolling or attracting insects and, more particularly, to anapparatus and method for providing a scatter surface and pumpingradiation to generate coherent or semi-coherent radiation frequencies tocontrol or attract insects.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Insects such as fleas, mosquitos, moths, etc. are undesirable becausethey are bothersome, destroy property, and often pose health risks.Devices and methods for trapping, killing, and disposing of insects arewell known in the art. These devices and methods have taken many formsand include, for example, fly paper, electric insect killers that killby electrocution, and chemical pesticides. Conventional devices andmethods have many shortcomings. For example, fly paper and electricinsect killers are both ineffective at attracting insects, and as such,are only marginally effective (approximately 5-10% ) for eliminatinginsects within a given area. Chemical pesticides are dangerous to boththe human population and the environment as a whole. Further, chemicalpesticides are also ineffective at attracting insects. It has long beenknown that insects are attracted to specific molecules of sex and hostplant attractants. For example, Dr. Philip S. Callahan (hereinafterApplicant) demonstrated conclusively in 1957 that night flying moths arenot attracted to visible light but rather to the infrared scatterfrequencies from scents of plants in the air stimulated by the visiblelight from a low intensity light source. Callahan, "Oviposition Responseto the Imago of the Corn Earworm Heliothis Zea (Boddie), to Various WaveLengths of Light," Annals of the Entomological Society of America, Vol.50, No. 5, September 1957. A summary of scatter radiation can be foundin Fabelinskii, Molecular Scattering of Light, translated by Robert T.Beyer, Department of Physics, Brown University, Plenum Press, New York,1968.

In a series of articles in the mid 1960's, Applicant demonstrated thatthe antennae of insects act as photonic, open resonator waveguides tocollect and transmit infrared frequencies. See Callahan, "A HighFrequency Dielectric Waveguide on the Antenna of Night-Flying Moths(Saturnidae)," Applied Optics, Vol. 7, page 1425, August 1963; Callahan,"Intermediate and Far Infrared Sensing of Nocturnal Insects, Part II,The Compound Eye of the Corn Earworm, Heliothis zea, and Other Moths asa Mosaic Optic-electromagnetic Thermal Radiometer," Annals of theEntomological Society of America, Volume 58, Number 5, pp. 746-756,September 1965; and Callahan, "Insect Molecular Bioelectronics: ATheoretical and Experimental Study of Insect Sensillae as TubularWaveguides, with Particular Emphasis on Their Dielectric andThermoelectric Properties," Miscellaneous Publications of theEntomological Society of America, Volume 5, Number 7, page 315-347, June1967.

In 1968, Applicant demonstrated the attractance of the mosquito Aedesaegypti to human vapor pumped by near infrared radiation in a totallydark environment. See Mangum et al., "Attractance of Near-InfraredRadiation to Aedes aegypti," Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 61,Number 1, pp. 36-37, February 1968. This work with insect antennas isdescribed in detail in Callahan, "Insect Antenna with Special Referenceto the Mechanism of Scent Detection and the Evolution of the Sensilla,"Int. J. Insect Morphol. & Embryol, 4(5):381-430 (1975).

In 1977, Applicant demonstrated that attractance of night flying mothsto candles is not due to the insect's eye and the candlelight, but isinstead due to the insect's dielectric antenna and candle water-vaporinfrared emissions to which the insect's antenna is tuned. See Philip S.Callahan, "Moth and candle: the candle flame as a sexual mimic of thecoded infrared wavelengths from a moth sex scent (pheromone)", AppliedOptics, Vol. 16, page 3089, December 1977, and Philip S. Callahan,"Trapping modulation of the far infrared (17- μm region) emission fromthe cabbage looper moth pheromone (sex cent)," Applied Optics, Vol 16,page 3098, December 1977.

For certain insect species, specific attractants (such as "pheromones,"which are insect produced volatile compounds) have been chemicallyidentified and synthesized. The isolation of sex and host plantattractant molecules has progressed steadily over the past few decades.Attractants have been utilized in various conventional traps but withpoor results since these traps dissipate all of their (pheromone) scentin the air and in only a few days are useless.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,997,785 to Callahan, which is incorporated byreference herein, Applicant described a system for vibrating a goldcoated needle in a molecular scent vapor contained in an enclosedchamber in order to stimulate and emit narrow band maser-like energyfrom an infrared transmitting window for control of insects. Thissystem, although providing advantages over other conventional solutions,was frequently ineffective because it failed to produce maser-likefrequencies that closely mimicked the frequencies produced by the insectbeing controlled.

There is therefore a need for a device and method that can attractand/or control insects within a specified region, is harmless to thehuman population, and is relatively inexpensive and easy to operate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the problems with conventional solutionsby utilizing natural (copied) scatter surfaces, natural vibratorymodulating frequency, and associated pumping radiation to generatecoherent or semi-coherent radiation frequencies to control or attractinsects. Thus, the present invention applies to the control of allinsects in nature; such control acting either as an attractant radiation(e.g., for trapping) or a frequency quenching (i.e., jamming) radiationfor insects.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for emittingnatural millimeter, infrared, visual, UV or UV-X-ray frequencies forcontrol of insects. Control may involve attracting the insects orrepelling them. Attractance is achieved by emitting attractancefrequencies of the insect to be controlled. Repulsion is achieved byemitting quenching (or jamming) frequencies timed to the photoncommunication system of the insect, or by emitting out of phasefrequencies that interfere with the molecular communication systems ofthe insects.

These many functions and frequencies are realized with the use of aspecially designed frequency (wavelength) emitter which utilizes thenatural semiochemicals of a particular insect, and the dielectricscatter surface of the particular insect, to mimic the coded wavelengthutilized by the organism in its day to day reproductive and foodsearching behavior.

The semiochemical or other behavioral molecules are confined in a closedchamber with a window that allows coherent or semi-coherent maser-likeradiation frequencies to be emitted. In the center of the chamber is aplate having an etched scatter surface copied from the antenna, thorax,wing or leg of the insect. The plate with the scatter surface is mountedperpendicular to the edge of the window within the chamber. Anadjustable grating is also provided to focus the maser-like radiationfrequencies for emission through the window. The adjustable grating hasa predetermined number of grooves to match the antenna dimensions(dielectric waveguide open resonator) of the appropriate insect. Thescatter surface is at a right angle to the adjustable grating andmounted on a vibrating rod with a control to allow the scatter surfaceto be vibrated in the extremely low frequency range (i.e., between 1 Hzand 800 Hz depending on the insect). The semiochemicals are circulatedover the vibrating scatter surface creating coherent or semi-coherentnarrow band high intensity maser-like emissions that are emitted to theenvironment through the window. The coherent or semi-coherent maser-likeemissions are used to control, attract, or jam the natural frequenciesof insects.

Alternatively, the present invention provides a method and apparatus foremitting photonic waves which emulate natural waves which either attractor repel insects as desired. Emulation is accomplished through the useof a power source, a gas discharge tube, and a scatter surface soaked inan appropriate attractant. In operation, the gas discharge tube isexcited by the power supply which results in gas discharge emissions.The scatter surface is mounted adjacent to the gas tube such that theenergy resulting from the gas tube discharge is directed onto thescatter surface. This may be accomplished by mounting a cylindricalscatter surface above the gas tube. Attractant molecules attached to (ornear) the scatter surface are thereby excited by the discharge energy,and begin to oscillate. When sufficient discharge energy is absorbed,the oscillation produces a photonic wave (or emission). The photonicwave is, in turn, received by the dielectric waveguide(s) of an insect(i.e., the insect's antenna). By varying the discharge energy, thescatter surface, and/or the attractant, the present invention may be"tuned" to achieve effective performance with a wide range of insects.

The energy output from the gas discharge tube may be varied in any ofseveral ways. The gas used to fill the tube may be varied to achieveenergy output over a desired spectral range. The energy provided by thepower source, used to discharge the gas tube, may be varied both interms of frequency (i.e., charging rate) and/or amplitude. In addition,the surface of the gas tube may be treated to limit discharge emissionsto any desired spectral range.

The scatter surface may also be varied in a number of ways. First, thephysical shape of the scatter surface may be varied to enhance ease ofconstruction of the present invention. Next, the spatial relationship ofthe scatter surface with respect to the gas tube may also be varied topermit direction of the photonic waves in a desired direction. Differentsubstances may be used to construct the scatter surface, resulting indiffering degrees of attractant absorption and/or vibration freedom forabsorbed attractant molecules.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following and more particular description of thepreferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in theaccompanying Figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of a coherentscatter and group wave soliton waveguide, surface enhanced emitterconstructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2(a) through 2(f) are photographs showing examples of variousscatter surfaces found on the antenna, thorax, and legs of insects;

FIG. 3 is an example of the scatter surface of the antenna of thecabbage looper moth Trichoplusia ni;

FIG. 4 is a spectrum of the cabbage looper moth (Trichoplusia ni)pheromone;

FIG. 5 illustrates a spectrum scattered off the surface of oats, riceand peas in a small container with their surfaces orientated so that thespectrophotometer beam is illuminated on a flat plane of the outersurfaces of the seeds;

FIGS. 6 illustrates spectrum of formaldehyde flowing across a 3600ÅBlacklight UV bulb;

FIG. 7 is a spectrum of the well known CO₂ rotation line at 14.9 um;

FIG. 8 is a spectrum of a group soliton atmospheric ELF wave;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of a coherentscatter waveguide constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a photomicrograph of a fiberous cardboard multiplicativearray utilized as a scatter surface in a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of a coherentscatter waveguide constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of a coherentscatter waveguide constructed in accordance with the present invention;and

FIG. 13 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of a coherentscatter waveguide constructed in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

I. Operational Overview of a first embodiment

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Thepresent invention comprises a frequency emitter 5 which provides acoherent scatter and group soliton waveguide, surface enhanced emitterfor control of insects. This is accomplished by emitting attractancefrequencies or conversely by emitting quenching (jamming) frequenciestimed to the photon communication system of the insect. These functionsare carried out by frequency emitter 5 which utilizes naturalsemiochemicals of a particular insect and the insect's naturaldielectric scatter surface to mimic the coded wavelength utilized by theinsect in its day to day reproductive and food searching behavior.

In this document, the term "semiochemicals" is taken to mean anymolecule from an insect which naturally emits communication photons. Theterm "control" is taken to mean the attractance of an insect to aconfined area where it can be eliminated (e.g., by electrocution orinsecticides) or the repulsion of the insect away from a specifiedgeographic area.

Frequency emitter 5 comprises a chamber 10, a scatter surface 20, anadjustable grating 30, a vibrator/rotor motor 40, an air pump 50, alight pump 60, and an infrared window 70. A functional and operationaldescription of these components is given below. In brief, the frequencyemitter 5 generates narrow band high intensity maser-like emissions fromsemiochemicals contained within chamber 10. The semiochemicals arecirculated through the chamber over the scatter surface 20. The pumpflow rate (i.e., the rate the semiochemicals are circulated (in a closedsystem) over scatter surface 20) is set to match wind speeds thatstimulate insects to search and respond to the semiochemicals. Scattersurface 20 is vibrated at an appropriate modulation frequency (typicallyin the extremely low frequency range). By circulating the semiochemicalsover vibrating scatter surface 20, maser-like emissions that emulate thenatural frequencies generated by an insect can be generated and emittedthrough window 70 into the environment.

A. Structural Description of the Present Invention

Referring again to FIG. 1, chamber 10 can be any shape, such as a cube,globe, or a parabolic structure. However, the preferred embodiment is acube measuring approximately 4 cm by 10 cm by 15 cm. In the preferredembodiment, chamber 10 is constructed of metal, plastic, or glass.However, any solid material can be used to construct the chamber 10.Chamber 10 has two holes 54, 55 formed on opposing sides for in and outair flow, respectively.

Chamber 10 is filled with semiochemical molecules or other behavioralmolecules, such as pheromones or host plant scent molecules. Chamber 10is sealed so that the semiochemical (i.e., attractant or quenching)molecules or other behavioral (e.g., scent) molecules can be circulatedin a continuous fashion across scatter surface 20. In other words, thefrequency emitter 5 is a closed system.

Placed in the center of the chamber 10 is a plate 15 having a scattersurface 20 etched therein. Plate 15 is made from metal or plastic. Amicrometer tilt mechanism 85 is provided for adjusting the position ofthe scatter surface 20 in order to focus or fine tune the narrow bandhigh intensity maser-like emissions (produced by circulating the naturalsemiochemicals across the natural scatter surface) through the window70. In a preferred embodiment, scatter surface 20 is adjustable in alldirections (e.g., vertically, horizontally, rotationally, pivotally,etc.).

The scatter surface is modeled, for example, after the antenna, thorax,wing or leg scatter surfaces found on all species of insects.

Present day etching technology has reached a state where micrometerdielectric or metal coated forms can be fabricated as scatter surfacesand amplifiers for short wave radiation in the millimeter, microwave,infrared (IR), visible and ultra violet (UV) region of the spectrum.Such miniature open resonator dielectric amplifiers or surface enhancedscatter configurations are now being produced and are described inJewell et al., "Microlasers," Scientific America, November 1991, Schereret al., "Lasing in Submicron Wide Vertical Cavity Microlasers," Opticsand Photonics News, December 1991, Grossman et al., "Lithographic spiralantennas at short wavelengths," Appl. Phy. Lett., Vol 59, No. 25,December 1991, and John, "Localization of Light," Physics Today, May1991, which are all incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

Modern solid state physics is beginning to demonstrate enhancedsensitivity and high amplification of frequencies utilizing array"dots." Such dots are microscopic scatter three dimensional antennaarrays fabricated and etched by holographic lithography onto transistorsurfaces. Such etching leaves 3-dimensional landscapes that "trap" andamplify frequencies. See Heitmann et al., "The Spectroscopy of QuantumArrays," Physics Today, June 1993. Insects, for example, have been usingsuch 3-dimensional surfaces for frequency amplification for millions ofyears.

The technique of atom-probe ion microscopy demonstrates that the imagingof gas atoms that lie above the surface atoms and occupy the moreprotruding sites are analogous to scatter surfaces of organisms. Such asurface has a rough texture with many tiny projections, or aspirates. Arough surface is not good for imaging, however, unless it is designedwith special edges or grooves (such as on an insect) to "focus" theatomic energies. Insects do not have rough surfaces but designedsurfaces that enhance frequencies by oscillating surface segregation.Photographs of ions taken with a field ion microscope show solitontarget waves in gases such as helium. Such soliton target waves arecommon at low energies from the atmosphere. See Tien Tsong, "Atom-ProbeField Ion Microscopy," Physics Today, May 1993. A soliton wave is avarying wave riding another wave.

Typical types of scatter surfaces for insects are listed in Table 1.FIGS. 2(a) through 2(f) are photographs showing examples of some of thescatter surfaces listed in Table 1.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                        Table of Natural Surfaces                                                     ______________________________________                                        1.    reticulated (springtails)                                               2.    grooved or ridged (june beetles)                                        3.    brush form (house flies)                                                4.    ridged, cone form (cabbage looper moth)                                 5.    circular group, peg form (aphids (Myxuces persicae))                    6.    saw tooth form (witch moth (Erebrus))                                   7.    comb peg form (honeybee)                                                8.    multiple spike form (bird grasshopper)                                  9.    rock crystal form (scale insects)                                       10.   leaf shaped spike form (mosquitoes)                                     11.   knobbed (aphids (Myzus persicae))                                       12.   corn ear surface (tiger moth)                                           13.   small knobbed surface (corn earworm moth)                               14.   large knobbed surface (Diptera sp.)                                     15.   reticulated knobbed surface (Diptera sp.)                               16.   air scoop surface (fall armyworm moth)                                  17.   vibrating hair surface (soldier fly)                                    18.   helical corrugated surface (cabbage looper moth)                        19.   pine cone surface (Neochetina eichoriniae)                              20.   shingled (Brucifidae sp.)                                               21.   ridged uplifted shingled (Hydrophychidae sp.)                           22.   irregular reticulated (springtails)                                     23.   pit and hill form (ants)                                                24.   elongated reticulated (springtails)                                     25.   loops (Hessian fly)                                                     ______________________________________                                    

FIG. 2(A) shows a reticulated surface (#1, Table 1). FIG. 2(B) shows agrooved or ridged (corrugated) surface (#2, Table 1). FIG. 2(C) shows aridged, cone form surface as found in the cabbage looper moth (#4, Table1). FIG. 2(D) shows a leaf shaped spike form surface (#10, Table 1).FIG. 2(E) shows a corn ear surface (#12, Table 1). FIG. 2(F) shows ashingled surface (#20, Table 1). All of these surfaces can be etchedinto plate 20 using present day micro-etching technology.

The airtight chamber 10 has a special millimeter, infrared, visible,ultra violet, or X-ray window 70 formed therein. Window 70 is used foremission of the scatter coherent radiation (i.e., maser-like emissions)generated by circulating semiochemicals across scatter surface 20 andgrating 30 (described below). In a preferred embodiment window 70 isconstructed using a Krs 5 infrared window.

The adjustable grating 30 is constructed with the proper number ofgrooves to generally match the natural dimension of the dielectricscatter antenna or sensilla (spines) of the organism being controlled.The adjustable grating should be gold plated for high reflectance in thevisible and infrared region of the light spectrum. For example, theadjustable grating 30 is constructed with 20 groves/mm for cockroachesor 300-600 grooves/mm for small ticks or white flies. A list of typicalgrating dimensions for different insects is shown in TABLE 2.

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                        SPECIFICATIONS WITH AVAILABLE GRATINGS                                               Cock-         Mos-          White                                             roach Moth    quito   Tick  Fly   Gnat                                 ______________________________________                                        Grating  20      75      150   300   600   1200                               (grooves/                                                                     mm)                                                                           Wavelength                                                                    Operating                                                                     Range                                                                         from:    185     185     185   185   185   185                                         nm      nm      nm    nm    nm    nm                                 to:      72        19.2     9.6                                                                                 4.8                                                                                 2.4                                                                                 1.2                                      μm   μm   μm μm μm μm                              ______________________________________                                    

Adjustable grating 30 is positioned on the side of chamber 10 oppositeto window 70. A micrometer tilt mechanism 90 is provided for adjustingthe position of grating 30 in order to focus or fine tune the narrowband high intensity maser-like emission through window 70.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the positions ofboth scatter surface 20 and grating 30 are adjustable (e.g., sidewaysand up and down) so that they can be positioned to stimulate (and/orfocus) natural maser-like emissions. The maser-like emissions arereflected from scatter surface 20 to grating 30. The maser-likeemissions are then in turn reflected through window 70. These coherentor semi-coherent maser-like emissions are used to control a specifictype of insect in the environment outside frequency emitter 5.

Note, that in a preferred embodiment, after the micrometer adjustmentshave been made to scatter surface 20 and grating 30 to correspond to aparticular insect (e.g. cabbage looper moth), these adjustments can bepermanently fixed. Thus, frequency emitter 5 with the semiochemicalscontained within (e.g., Z-7-dodecene-1-ol acetate pheromone for thecabbage looper moth) can on site without any further adjustmentsnecessary.

The etched scatter surface 20 is mounted on a vibrating rod 80perpendicular to the edge of window 70 and at a right angle to grating30. Vibrating rod 80 is connected to a vibrator/rotor motor 40.Vibrating rod 80 is designed to allow the scatter surface tilt rod 85 tobe positioned to screw forward and press against the plate 15. Thisconfiguration assures that small angle variations can be made in thesurface alignment of scatter surface 20 in relation to grating 30. Onceagain, grating 30 can also been adjusted using the micrometer tiltmechanism 90.

Vibrator/rotor motor 50 comprises two elements: A low frequencyoscillator and a rotor motor (described below). The low frequencyoscillator can be controlled to vibrate rod 80 between 1 Hz and 800 Hz(depending on the insect being controlled). Table 3 gives a list offrequency ranges that may be used to control specific insect groups.

                  TABLE 3                                                         ______________________________________                                                           Frequency Range in                                         Insect Group       cycles per second (CPS)                                    ______________________________________                                        Saturnid moths (Saturniidae)                                                                      8-16                                                      Butterflies (Rhopalocera)                                                                         8-21                                                      Ants (Formicoidea) 12-20                                                      Dragonflies (Anisoptera)                                                                         20-28                                                      Sphingid moths (Sphingidae)                                                                      26-45                                                      Noctuid moths (Noctuidae)                                                                        35-55                                                      Crane flies (Tipulidae)                                                                          44-73                                                      Lady beetles (Coccinellaidae)                                                                    80-85                                                      Horse flies (Tabanidae)                                                                           96-100                                                    Yellow jackets (Vespidae)                                                                        110-115                                                    March flies (Bibionidae)                                                                         126-140                                                    Bumble bees (Apinae)                                                                             130-140                                                    Fruit flies (Tephritidae)                                                                        150-250                                                    Honey bees (Apinae)                                                                              185-190                                                    Mosquitoes (Culicidae)                                                                           160-500                                                    ______________________________________                                    

Air circulating pump 50 is provided to allow the semiochemical or otherattractant or quenching molecules to be circulated across the vibratingscatter surface. Note that the chamber 10 is initially filled with thesemiochemical or other attractant or quenching molecules before turningon the air circulating pump 50. The air flow is adjusted so that itmimics the air flow to which insects respond. That is, semiochemicalsblowing at certain speeds through the air stimulate insects to searchand respond to the chemicals. Thus, the semiochemical molecular flow isadjusted to match the natural air flow of airborne molecules thatstimulate insects. In a preferred embodiment, the air flows from the topedge of scatter surface 20 to air pump 50 via opening 55, and isreturned to chamber 10 through opening 54. A light pump 60 is mounteddirectly above scatter surface 20. Light pump 60 can be any infrared,blue, ultra violet or UV-X-ray light source. An ultra violet (3600 Å)light source is used in a preferred embodiment. Light pump allows lowintensity pumping radiation (DC) to be directed across scatter surface20. Light pump 60 can be constructed in a number of different ways, suchas: (1) DC filament source placed behind a filter (e.g., a color filter,infrared filter, UV filter etc.); (2) a light emitting diode of properfrequency (e.g., millimeter, infrared, light, UV or UV-X-ray); (3) aflickering light source (1 to 800 or more Hz) in which case the scattersurface 20 can be adjusted to synchronize with the flicker of the lightpump 60; or (4) an etched grating light source which reflects a definedfrequency from its surface and across scatter surface 20.

If the present invention is used to control insects in a large area,yard, field etc., frequency emitter 5 can be rotated 360° around avertical axis using vibrator/rotor motor 40. This allows frequencyemitter 5 to sweep the emitted radiation from window 70 across the largearea. The rotation is accomplished simultaneously with the vibration.Given this configuration, the present invention is particularlyadaptable to be used in a storage grain elevator, for example. Note thatthe frequency emitter 5 does not need a rotor motor to operatecorrectly. To operate correctly only a low frequency oscillator isrequired.

B. Tuning the Frequency Emitter 5

Described below are a number of physical-chemical parameters involved intuning frequency emitter 5 for a particular insect (e.g., cabbage loopermoth). In order for the frequency emitter 5 to operate effectively oneor more of these parameters may be involved. For example, the wrongtemperature or the wrong concentration of the semiochemical may shiftthe emission out of "tune" diminishing the benefits of the presentinvention.

Temperature affects the wavelength of the maser-like emissions emittedfrom frequency emitter 5. As such, changing the temperature within thefrequency emitter 5 can increase or decrease the performance of thepresent invention. Generally, the frequency emitter should be operatedbetween 30° to 120° F. Higher temperatures produce longer wavelengthsand lower temperatures produce shorter wavelengths in the maser-likeemissions.

A higher concentration of semiochemicals produces longer wavelengths anda lower concentration of semiochemicals produces shorter wavelengths inthe maser-like emissions.

Modulating the scatter surface at different frequencies can change theharmonics of the maser-like emissions. A higher modulating frequencyresults in the harmonics being farther apart, while a lower modulatingfrequency results in the harmonics being closer together.

Experiments in the field have demonstrated that semiochemicals blowingat certain speeds through the air stimulate insects to search andrespond to the chemicals. If the velocity (measured in miles per hour(MPH)) is too low or too high the molecules do not collide and vibratewith the insects scatter surface at the frequency to which the insectnaturally responds. The efficiency of frequency emitter 5 can thereforebe increased by changing the flowrate that the semiochemicals arecirculated through chamber 10. Experiments have shown that efficiencyhas increased by changing the flowrate from 0.1 to 0.8 MPH.

Insects fly at different times of night and day. Since the environmentalradiation (pumping radiation) often changes due to overcast or hazeetc., the color and intensity of light may change from good to bad orvice versa. By changing the wavelength of the pumping radiation (i.e.,changing the type of light pump 60) the amplitude of the maser-likeemissions can also be altered to correspond to a particular insect.

It is important that the circulating molecules be of the correct degreeof freedom (i.e., not to close together or to far apart) to assurecoherent emission at vibrating scatter surface 20. The emissions shouldbe directed at a right angle against grating 30 and reflected out ofwindow 70. Nitrogen may be added to the molecular semiochemical (byexperimentation) in order to provide a carrier for the emittingmolecules and to obtain the correct degrees of freedom in the dilutedvapor.

As seen from above, fine tuning the frequency emitter 5 can be achallenging process which includes experimentation within the naturalenvironment of the insect. Along with the above techniques, Table 4provides a number of other factors that should be considered whenoperating the present invention.

                  TABLE 4                                                         ______________________________________                                        1.  Efficiency can be increased by applying an electret effect                    (plus and minus charge). The electret effect can be obtained                  from a purchased teflon electret, or made by placing a teflon                 sheet between two plates at 2000 volts and slightly heating the               sheet. An electret effect orients molecules. If the molecules                 form a single layer it is referred to as a "monolayer effect."            3.  Semiochemical concentration increase can broaden the                          frequency line.                                                           4.  Adding (CH).sub.2n in the semiochemical chain can produce a shift             in the frequency line.                                                    5.  Frequency emissions not only occur in large windows                           (2, 5, 7, to 14 Um), but also in micro (e.g., narrow)                         windows between the water rotation absorption bands.                          However, the frequency emissions will be quenched if they                     coincide with the water rotation absorption bands.                        6.  Doping by adding extra (CH).sub.2n or (CH).sub.3n shift or quenches           frequencies.                                                              7.  Doping with minute amounts of ammonia (NH).sub.3 can increase                 efficiency (i.e., the ammonia acts as a catalytic agent).                 8.  Medium to weak primary wavelength sidebands are typically                     associated with strong emissions. Adjusting the wavelength                    of the sidebands can oftentimes produce better results.                       For example, an insect might be more inclined to be tuned                     into the stronger wavelengths of the sidebands.                           ______________________________________                                    

The teachings of the present invention can also be extended to aphotonic waveguide integrated diode circuit having etched scattersurface contained therein. The diode can be used to control insectssince present day technology makes it feasible to reduce this entirescatter biological control chamber to a single emitting diode.

C. Examples As shown in FIGS. 3 through 14, emissions from insectsemiochemicals (pheromone, plant seed, formaldehyde and CO₂,respectively) can be stimulated to emit narrow band maser-like signaturefrequencies by blowing them across a natural scatter surface. Thesesemiochemicals are modulated with the same frequencies that the insectvibrates its antenna, as shown in Table 3. Given below are a fewexamples of the type of insects that can be controlled with the presentinvention.

1. Trichoplusia ni

FIG. 3 is an example of the scatter surface of the antenna of thecabbage looper moth Trichoplusia ni. The sensilla (pheromone sensors)dielectric waveguide spines can be seen protruding between the ridgedcones of the scatter surface. The dielectric waveguide sensilla (spines)themselves have corrugated scatter surfaces. To control the cabbagelooper moth, scatter surface 20 would be modeled after this surface.

FIG. 4 is a spectrum of the cabbage looper moth pheromoneZ-7-dodecene-1-ol acetate. Chamber 10 is filled with this semiochemicalmolecule and pumped by blue light via light pump 60. Since 55 Hz is theantenna vibration frequency of the cabbage looper moth, scatter surface20 located within chamber 10 is vibrated at this frequency. A 17 μmwater vapor microwindow is used. Water vapor (e.g., 2A, 3B, 4A, 5C,etc.) and pheromone emission lines 410 and 420 are designated. Pheromoneemissions 410 and 420 frequencies shift from 570 μm to 565 μm over a 15minute period, respectively, due to deliberate heating in chamber 10(i.e., temperature tuning). Concentration tuning is also evident bychanging the amount of the pheromone.

2. Plodia interpunctella

The Indian Meal moth (Plodia interpunctella) destroys millions ofdollars of stored grain each year all over the world. Typically grainsinclude oats, rice, and peas. FIG. 5 is a spectrum scattered off thesurface of the seeds of oats, rice and peas in a small container withtheir surfaces orientated so that a spectrophotometer beam illuminatedthe flat plane of the outer surfaces of the seeds. The scent outgassingfrom the surface of each group of plant seeds shows a group ofnarrowband coded emissions (like a bar code). These nonlinear maser-likeemissions represent acoustic Stokes Brilliouin and Raman scatter fromthe outgassing plant scents. In order to control the Indian Meal moth,chamber 10 is filled with one of the semiochemicals shown in FIG. 5.

Scatter surface 20 is modeled after the antenna surface of the IndianMeal moth (shown in FIG. 2F), and modulated at 30 Hz (i.e., themodulation frequency of the antenna of the Indian Meal Moth) to producenarrow band maser-like emissions. These emissions emitted through window70 can be used to control (and consequently eliminate within a givenarea) the Indian Meal moth.

3. Plecice nearctia

FIG. 6 is a spectrum of formaldehyde flowing across a 3600 Å BlacklightUV bulb. Formaldehyde is a powerful attractant to the Love bug (Plecicenearctia), a nuisance insect that is attracted to highways by thealdehydes in exhaust fumes.

Spectrum A is a scan with the formaldehyde modulated at 130 Hz (i.e.,the antenna vibration frequency of the lovebug antenna). Spectrum B isformaldehyde also modulated at 130 Hz but with the vapor blowing at highspeed (10 mph) across the interferometer infrared beam. The pumpingradiation is still 3600 ÅUV. The Rayleigh center scatter line which isnarrowband (maser-like) at 38 Ocm⁻¹ becomes a group wave with a Gaussiandistribution at fast air speeds. Such group waves can be utilized toamplify or quench the organisms semiochemical communication systems.

4. Mosquitoes

FIG. 7 is a spectrum of the well known CO₂ rotation line at 14.9 μm.This line can be stimulated to emit very strongly the vibrationfrequency of many species of mosquitoes, stable, and horse flies bymodulating it at 210 Hz. Emission is stimulated by a slight nitrogenpurge, a gentle breeze, and the 210 Hz modulated frequency. Addition ofa trace of lactic acid causes slight amplification and more signals toemerge in this region. Many insects that attack animals are attracted toCO₂ -lactic acid. The pumping radiation is near infrared in the 1 & 2 μmregion.

D. Detection of Emissions of Frequency Emitter 5

The frequency and or harmonics emitted from frequency emitter 5 may bedetected by a high resolution Fourier analysis interferometerspectrophometer (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, the maser-likeemissions can be detected by the apparatus described in a U.S. Pat.application Ser. No. 08/047,486, filed Apr. 19, 1993, entitled "PhotonicIonic Cord Detector of Group Waves," by inventor Philip S. Callahan. The'486 patent application is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

FIG. 8 is an oscilloscope recording of a group soliton atmospheric ELFwave useful for modulating molecular scatter radiation and discovered bythe Applicant on trees and human skin surfaces. Such group soliton wavesare also observed as stimulated emission from insect semiochemicalsattractants (e.g., FIG. 6), and are a part of the control configurationof such emissions for biological organisms. That is, the group solitonwave is a universal frequency that can be used to control insects.Although experimentation may indicate that other frequencies are moresuited for a particular insect the group soliton wave has been shown inexperiments by Applicant to control a wide range of insects.

Conversely, frequency emitter 5 can be adapted to emit a gaussiandistributed scatter group wave to quench (jam) an attractant or unwantedfrequency.

II. Operational Overview of Another Embodiment

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, the present invention comprises a discharge gas tube 910, astrobe circuit 920, a condenser 930, a tube shield 940, a scattersurface 950, and supports 960. In operation, the discharge from gas tube910 provides pumping radiation which is directed onto scatter surface950. Gas tube 910 may be any radiation or light source capable ofproducing a discharge output covering a desired spectral range (i.e.,that portion of environmental radiation spectrum to which the insect tobe controlled is naturally sensitive). Gas tube 910 is preferably aRadio Shack Xenon Strobe Part No. 61-2506. The gas contained within gastube 910 is therefore selected to ensure that the characteristic pumpingfrequency of the insect to be controlled is generated. Strobe circuit920 and condenser 930 provide the energy required to excite gas tube910, as well as control the duration of each strobe and the timeinterval between strobes. Tube shield 940 protects gas tube 910 fromshock, and may also be treated to limit transmission of only selectedfrequencies (spectral energies) upon discharge of gas tube 910.

Scatter surface 950 is exposed to semiochemicals or any suitableattractant or quenchant molecules (hereafter "attractant"), and providesa medium for excitation of the attractant. Scatter surface 950 ispreferably soaked in attractant, and thereby retains attractantmolecules through adhesive and/or cohesive bonding forces. By varyingthe material and/or construction of scatter surface 950, the presentinvention may be further tuned to accommodate various insects. Supports960 suspend scatter surface 950 above gas tube 910 so as to permitdischarge radiation to excite attractant molecules on (or near) scattersurface 950. Power for strobe circuit 920 may be derived from anysuitable power source, including DC batteries contained within strobecircuit 920, an external DC source (not shown), or an external AC source(not shown).

A. The Pumping Mechanism

As stated above, the present invention controls insects by excitingattractant molecules at characteristic frequencies associated withvarious insects. The excited molecules, in turn, emit a maser-likephotonic wave which is sensed by nearby insects and which may have anattractive or a repellant effect (depending on whether a semiochemical,attractant, or quenchant is used). The effectiveness of the presentinvention therefore derives directly from the coherency and/or intensityof these maser-like photonic emissions. By varying different parametersof the invention, the photonic emissions may be tuned to optimize theperformance of the invention.

Towards this end, several of the parameters that may be varied arediscussed in detail below. First, discharge gas tube 910 is considered.As shown in FIG. 9, gas tube 910 provides the excitation energy used todirectly excite the attractant molecules. By controlling the spectraloutput of gas tube 910, excitation of the attractant molecules may beincreased within any desired spectral region. Several methods arepreferred for accomplishing this.

First, the gas contained in gas tube 910 may be selected to providedischarge energy within a particular spectral range. For example, Xenongas is ideally suited for attracting mosquitos because of its strongdischarge emission within the frequency range to which mosquitos areespecially sensitive (Near-IR). In addition, tube shield 940 may betreated to limit the emissions from the discharge of gas tube 910 to anyspectral range(s) of interest. For example, by coating tube shield 940with an IR passing filter, the relative intensity of molecularexcitation in the desired IR energy band is increased. In addition, anyflash or glare that may be annoying to humans is eliminated.

Next, additional variation of the gas discharge excitation energy may beachieved by varying the intensity and/or pulse rate of the discharge ofgas tube 910. Gas tube 910 is discharged when the energy stored oncondenser 930, supplied from strobe circuit 920, is sufficient to excitethe gas. By varying the size of condenser 930, the stored energy (whichis ultimately dissipated by the "strobe" of gas tube 910) may be varied.In addition, the time interval between "strobes" may be controlled byvarying the charge rate of strobe circuit 920. Experimentation hasdemonstrated that good results are achieved when the delay intervalbetween strobe bursts is in the range of about 1 second to 30 seconds,depending in part on ambient conditions. As will be immediatelyrecognized by one skilled in the art, the size of condenser 930 as wellas the charging rate of strobe circuit 920 may be varied to control thestrobing of gas tube 910.

B. The Scatter Surface

Beyond the spectral discharge, the effectiveness of the presentinvention is also directly dependent on the construction of the scattersurface which is used to support generation of the maser-like photonicwaves. Referring again to FIG. 9, scatter surface 950 is shown supportedabove gas tube 910. While this orientation is useful to permitconvenient orientation of the constituent parts of the invention, anynumber of alternative arrangements are possible. FIGS. 11, 12, and 13represent other preferred arrangements, which are discussed more fullybelow. The common requirement among these preferred arrangements is thatthe discharge energy from gas tube 910 is able to interact with theattractant on and/or around the scatter surface.

In FIG. 9, scatter surface 950 is preferably a 1/8 inch thick cardboardroll, approximately 4 cm in diameter and approximately 8 cm in height.The cardboard roll is soaked in attractant before it is exposed to thedischarge radiation from gas tube 910. FIG. 10, a high magnificationcloseup of scatter surface 950, shows the multiplicative array 1010formed by the cardboard material. When soaked in attractant and thenexposed to discharge radiation, molecules of the attractant on (andsuspended near) the multiplicative array 1010 are excited and emitmaser-like photonic waves. The intensity and coherency of these waves,dependent in part on the discharge radiation, is also influenced by thegeometry of the scatter surface. Cardboard has been shown to work well,in part because of the degree of vibrational freedom afforded toattached attractant molecules as well as due to the porosity of thematerial (which can therefore hold many molecules of attractant).

As stated above, other scatter surface configurations may be employed tovary the coherency and/or intensity of emitted maser-like photonicwaves. Almost any scatter surface configuration may be utilized, subjectto the requirement that the surface selected be able to supportmolecules of attractant with some degree of vibrational freedom. Forexample, FIG. 11 depicts a configuration where gas tube discharge source910 is essentially surrounded by the scatter surface 1110. In thisconfiguration, scatter surface 1110 must be sufficiently porous to allowthe discharge energy from gas tube 910 to excite attractant molecules onscatter surface 1110. Similarly, FIG. 12 depicts a scatter surface 1210essentially encasing gas tube 910. Like scatter surface 1110, scattersurface 1210 must permit discharge energy from gas tube 910 to exciteattached attractant molecules. Supports 1220 are used to positionscatter surface 1210 near gas tube 910, as detailed above. Referring toFIG. 13, a configuration particularly suitable for varying photoniccoherency is presented. Scatter surface 1310 is curved, only partiallysurrounding gas tube 910, so as to focus emitted photonic waves in adesired direction. Supports 1330 are used to position scatter surface1310 in any desired orientation. Furthermore, the radiant surface 1320of scatter surface 1310 may be covered with velcro, or a similarmaterial. The velcro "hooks" or "loops" provide both desired attractantretention as well as vibrational freedom in such a fashion as to alignthe molecular vibration of the attractant molecules. A focussing effectis therefore realized, producing increased intensity and coherency ofthe emitted maser-like photonic waves.

C. The Attractant

As stated above, the scatter surface of the present invention must besoaked in (or treated with) a suitable semiochemical, attractant orquenchant. The particular solution used depends on the insect to becontrolled. For example, excellent results were achieved in mosquitoattracting tests when the attractant used was a saline solution whichapproximated human sweat. A preferred composition for this salinesolution is presented in Table 5 (below).

                  TABLE 5                                                         ______________________________________                                        Saline Attractant                                                             Material (Chemical Symbol)                                                                       Content (%)                                                ______________________________________                                        Sodium (Na)        10.7                                                       Chlorine (CI.sup.-1)                                                                             19.7                                                       Bicarbonate (HCO.sub.-3)                                                                         1.4                                                        Magnesium (Mg)     1.2                                                        Potassium (K)      0.4                                                        Calcium (Ca.sup.++)                                                                              0.4                                                        ______________________________________                                    

III. Conclusion

An apparatus has been disclosed for generating coherent or semi-coherentradiation frequencies to control or attract insects. While the inventionhas been particularly shown and described with reference to preferredembodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A coherent scatter waveguide for generatingphotonic emissions for control of an insect, comprising:(a) a scattersurface; (b) an attractant, disposed on said scatter surface, selectedaccording to the insect to be controlled; (c) a strobe circuit; and (c)a pumping radiation source, connected to said strobe circuit, positionedso as to direct pumping radiation onto a molecule of said attractant,thereby exciting said molecule of said attractant to further causeemission of a photonic wave used to control the insect.
 2. The coherentscatter waveguide of claim 1, wherein the scatter surface furthercomprises a multiplicative fiber array.
 3. The coherent scatterwaveguide of claim 2, wherein the multiplicative fiber array is a pieceof cardboard.
 4. The coherent scatter waveguide of claim 1, wherein thescatter surface further comprises a semi-circular surface positioned tofocus the emitted photonic wave in a desired direction.
 5. The coherentscatter waveguide of claim 1, wherein the scatter surface furthercomprises a spherical surface positioned to disperse the emittedphotonic wave uniformly over a radial distribution.
 6. The coherentscatter waveguide of claim 1, wherein the scatter surface is furtherconstructed using a material having a plurality of protrusions supportedin such a manner so as to direct the emitted photonic wave in a desireddirection.
 7. The coherent scatter waveguide of claim 1, wherein saidattractant is a saline solution.
 8. The coherent scatter waveguide ofclaim 1, wherein the strobe circuit further comprises a condenser,electrically connected in parallel between the outputs of said strobecircuit and the inputs of said pumping radiation source.
 9. The coherentscatter waveguide of claim 1, wherein the pumping radiation source is agas discharge tube.
 10. The gas discharge tube of claim 9, wherein saidgas discharge tube is filled with Xenon.
 11. The gas discharge tube ofclaim 9, wherein said gas discharge tube is treated with an IR passingfilter so as to limit the output of the tube to desired frequencies. 12.A method for controlling insects through emission of photonic waves,comprising the steps of:(a) generating pumping radiation, said radiationcovering a characteristic frequency of an insect; and (b) exposing anattractant provided on a scatter surface to said pumping radiation topermit molecules of said attractant to vibrate and thereby to emit aphotonic wave which is received by the insect and which further attractsor repels the insect.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step ofgenerating pumping radiation further comprises generating pumpingradiation within a selective energy range, said energy rangecorresponding to a sensitivity range for the insect to be controlled.